Belgian doctors open discussion of involuntary euthanasia

26. March 2014 - 12:48

Some doctors in Belgium have suggested discussion of legalizing euthanasia without requiring the consent of the patient.

Euthanasia is already legal in Belgium; last year 1,432 people were put to death by their doctors, at the patients’ request. In February the government extended legal euthanasia by allowing children to opt for mercy killing.

The current law, however, requires patients to make an informed choice to end their own lives. Doctors now suggest that they should be able to make that decision for patients who are unable to express themselves, whether or not they are suffering.